Coiling or de-coiling apparatus for metal strip with collapsible drum



May 10,

1960 J. A. TRACY 2,936,132

COILING OR DE-COILING APPARATUS FOR METAL STRIP WITH COLLAPSIBLE DRUM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 2, 1956 E \&l." I.

INVENTOR I JOHN ANORETRACY J. A. TRACY May 10, 1960 COILING OR DE-COILING APPARATUS FOR METAL STRIP WITH COLLAPSIBLE DRUM Filed Feb. 2, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Jon-m ANDRE TRACY May 10, 1960 J TRACY 2,936,132

COILING 0R DE-COILING APPARATUS FOR METAL STRIP WITH COLLAPSIBLE DRUM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 2, 1956 fl l6 l7 INVENTOR.

JOHN ANDREI TRACY United States Patent F COILING OR DE-COILING APPARATUS FOR METAL STRIP WITH COLLAPSIBLE DRUM John A. Tracy, Bournemouth, England, assignor to The Loewy Engineering Company Limited, Bournemouth, England, a corporation of Great Britain Application February 2, 1956, Serial No. 563,131

Claims priority, application Great Britain February 9, 1955 7 Claims. (Cl. 24278.1)

This invention relates to coiling or de-coiling apparatus for metal strip, having a rotary drum which can be collapsed or expanded, and which to this end consists of a number of radially movable segments. The movement of the segments is generally effected by means of a centrally disposed reciprocating rod through the intermediary of suitable linkages or cams.

The forces required for moving the segments and for maintaining them into their expanded position are sometimes considerable. This applies, in particular, to the case of coilers where the expanded segments have to be held in position against the shrinking force exerted on them during the formation of a coil, and to the case of a de-coiler where the drum segments have to be expanded after a coil has been placed onto them. It has therefore been proposed to actuate the central rod which moves the segments by a hydraulic motor or to use a system of toggle levers, as this has the advantage of giving a strong momentary impulse to the rod.

The known arrangements for actuating the central rod of a collapsible coiler drum have, however, not been satisfactory in some respects. Difliculties have been experienced due to the fact that the mechanism for actuating the rod, as well as the rod itself, had to rotate with the drum, whereas the hydraulic motor, and, in particular, its pressure-fluid connections, should preferably be non-rotating. Furthermore, it was not always practicable to provide in the coiler means which were sufliciently rigid to sustain the considerable axial thrust loads necessary for the expansion of the segments, without resorting to complicated or heavy modifications, especially where toggle systems were used for the actuating of the central rod.

It is an object of the invention to provide in a coiling or decoiling apparatus having an expanding drum and including shaft and rod assemblies respectively rotating the drum and controlling the expansion thereof, means carried between said shaft and rod assemblies for subjecting said assemblies to stresses balanced within said assemblies and produced by the forces required for expanding or collapsing the drum.

It is another object of the present invention to provide in a coiling or decoiling apparatus having an expanding drum and including a drive shaft for rotating said drum, power operated actuating mechanism adapted to be tensioned by the central load required for expanding or collapsing the drum, and load transmitting members carried by said shaft and said mechanism for subjecting said shaft to compression balancing the tension of said mechanism, whereby said shaft and said mechanism form an assembly in which the stresses produced by the central load are in balance.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in coiling or decoiling apparatus having an expanding drum and a source of power and including a drive shaft for rotating said drum, actuating mechanism tensioned by said source of power to apply the central 2,936,132 Patented May 10, 1960 load required for expanding or collapsing the drum, said actuating mechanism comprising a rod and a toggle system between said source of power and said rod and carried by said rod, and load transmitting members at opposite ends of said shaft and at opposite ends of said rod for subjecting said shaft to compression balancing the tension of said rod applied through said toggle system from said source of power, whereby said shaft and said rod and said toggle system form an assembly in which the stresses produced by the central load are in balance, said source of power may be carried at one end of said rod by said toggle system and operative within said toggle system.

In some cases, it may be found expedient to arrange the hydraulic motor and the toggle system at one extremity of the central rod and beyond the main shaft, with the rod passing through the toggle system. In these cases, the hydraulic motor and the toggle system are preferably duplicated in that way that hydraulic motors and pairs of toggle mechanisms are disposed at opposite sides of a plane through the axis of the drum which is at right-angles to the afore-mentioned plane.

An embodiment of the invention will now be shown and described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a plan view, partly in section, of a coiler or de-coiler, according to the invention, with parts broken away.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the actuating mechanism for the coiler segments, on an enlarged scale,v

taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end-view, partly in section, along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 55 of Fig. l.

The drum of the coiler or de-coiler, generally designated by 10, comprises a number of segments 12 which are mounted on main shaft 14, so as to be rotated thereby. The shaft 14 is hollow and is driven by suitable and conventional means, of which only the gear wheel 15 of a reduction gear is shown. The segments are capable of inward and outward movement, where? by the drum 10 can be collapsed or expanded. Outward movement of the segments is effected by means to be later described, and inward movement by means of small springs 16 surrounding guide pins 17. The segments are circumferentially spaced-apart and bars 18 of wedge-shaped cross-section are inserted in the gaps between two segments 12. The bars 18 have at their underside rows of cams 20 in the form of saw teeth engageable with rows of corresponding cams 22 formed on bars 24. The latter are adapted to be reciprocated in the direction of the main axis of the drum through a common actuating rod 26 and a cross-member 28. The

rod 26 passes through the interior of the shaft 14 from end to end and extends beyond the drum 10 and the gear wheel 15 and outside a main bearing 29 of shaft 14.

The invention consists in the means for reciprocating the rod 26. These means will be presently described.- The rod 26 is reciprocated through a system of toggle levers comprising altogether four sets 30a to 30d of levers 32. In the embodiment shown, two sets 30a and 30b of toggle levers are arranged on one sided the horizontal axial plane' of the drum, and two sets 30!; and 30d at the opposite side of that plane. The'sets 30a and 300 and the sets 30b and 30d in turn are arranged at opposite sides of the vertical axial plane-of the drum. Thus the four sets 30a to 30d of toggle levers 32 are so located relative to the drum axis'fthat their lines of action pass through the four corners'oj ffl a rectangle whose centre is in the drum axis. The"l'evefs 32 of each set 30 are joined together at their mid-points bypins 34.

The toggle sets 39 are actuated by the reciprocating elements of hydraulic motors 36, the toggle sets arranged in the same horizontal plane having one such motor in common. The piston 38 of each motor 36 is'connected through a piston rod 40 and an eye-shaped extension 42 to the pivot pin 34 of the toggle sets 30a or 300 respectively. The cylinder 44 of each motor 36 has a cover 45 and is connected throughan ear 46 to the pivot pin 34 of the toggle sets 36b or 30d respectively. Pressure-fluid is supplied to opposite ends of the cylinders 44 through flexible pipes 48. The admission of pressurefluid to opposite sides of the pistons 38 is controlled by means not shown here, so that the pistons 38 and cylinders 44 of each hydraulic motor 36 can be moved relative to each other in opposite directions. 1

The outer ends of the toggle levers 32 are pivoted by means of pins 50 and 52 respectively to two thrust blocks 54 and 56. Thrust block 54 is mounted on an extension 58 of main driving shaft 14, outside one of the main bearings 29 of said shaft, and thrust block 56 on the extremity of actuating rod 26. Bearings 60 enable the extension 58 to rotate freely in thrust block 54, and the rod 26 in thrust block 56. The thrust block 54 is held against axial displacement on the extension 58 by a nut 62 on one side and is backed on the opposite side by a shoulder or abutment 64 on shaft extension 58, a roller thrust bearing 66 of substantial size being interposed between the thrust block 54 and the shoulder 64. The thrust block 54 can therefore not move axially relative to the extension 58 in either direction.

The shaft 14 has outside its main bearings 59 a flange or :collar or abutment 67 which is in endwise engagement with the bars 13 of the drum when the latter is expanded.

The thrust block 56 is held against axial displacement relative to rod 26 by a nut 68 at one side, and a spacer member 70 and a nut 72 at the other side. A roller bearing 74 of substantial size is interposed between the thrust block 56 and the spacer member 70. The thrust block 56 is therefore held against axial displacement in either direction relative to the rod 26.

The thrust block 56 is slidable on two guide pins 76 which are secured to the thrust block 54 (Fig. 2), and arranged at opposite sides of the main axis of the drum. Each pin 76 is supported in a bracket 78 which is hinged by means of pins 80 to a part 82 of the stationary main frame of the coiler or de-coiler. Pins 80 have eccentric sleeves 84 which permit adjustment of the brackets 78. The brackets are held in position by adjustable and resilient stops 86, mounted on the frame 82.

-On admission of pressure-fluid into the space between the pistons 38 of the hydraulic motors 36 and the covers 45, the pins 34 of oppositely arranged sets 30a and 30b and 300 and 30d respectively of toggle levers 32 are caused to move inwardly with the result that the sets of toggle levers are stretched, and the thrust block 56 moved away from the thrust block 54. This results in a corresponding movement of the actuating rod 26 and the bars 18 in which the cams 20 and 22 co-operate in such a manner that the segments 12 are moved outwardly and the drum is therefore expanded. Conversely, if pressure-fluid is introduced into the space between the pistons 38 and the end-wall of the cylinders 44, the pins 34 of the toggle sets will be moved outwardly and the toggles therefore contracted, so that the thrust block 56 will be moved towards the thrust block 54; This movement is transferred to the actuating rod 26 and the bars 18 to the rows of cams 20 and 22 in that sense that the inclined faces of the cams are moved .apart and the segments 12 of the drum 10 therefore althe thrust bearings 66 and 74 to the shoulder or abutment 64 of shaft extension 58 and through the intermediary of the spacer member 7% and the nut 72 to the actuating rod 26 respectively, from which they are transmitted to the cam mechanism for the movement of the drum segments 12 through the segments and the collar or abutment 67, back to the shaft 64. It will therefore be seen that these forces are entirely contained in the shaft 14 and rod 26, as well as their actuating mechanisms. As the toggle sets 30a and 3011 respectively and the toggle sets 30c and 3011 respectively are spaced-apart by equal distances from the axis of the drum, the resultant of the forces exerted by the toggles will coincide with this axis.

It will be-noted that the hydraulic motors 36 and the toggle sets 30 are non-rotatable and form together an assembly which is supported at spaced-apart points on shaft 14 and rod 26, so as to be centred thereon.

The angle, which the toggle levers 32 of a set form with each other, can be readily adjusted by means of the nuts 68 and 72, so that the forces exerted by the toggle levers can be varied in accordance with operational requirements.

One of the hydraulic motors 36 may be connected to a pressure gauge whereby the counter-pressure due to the shrinking force exerted by the formation of a coil on the drum 10 can be continuously registered. If desired, relief means can be arranged in connection with the hydraulic system to one or both of the motors 36 which become operative, should the counter-pressure due to the shrinking force become excessive.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the drawings. The hydraulic motors can be arranged with their axes vertical instead of horizontal, with corresponding alterations in the arrangement of the other components. Instead of arranging the hydraulic motors inside the toggle system, they can be positioned outside thereof. .The invention can further be realised with one pair of toggle sets and one hydraulic motor only.

Other modifications in the arrangement and co-ordination of the afore-described components will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

The invention can be applied to existing coilers or decoilers without requiring any substantial alterations; in some instances, the drum itself, and its driving means, including the gear box, can remain unchanged.

What is claimed is:

1. A coiling or de-coiling apparatus for metal strip comprising an expandable drum for receiving the strip and consisting of a plurality of radially movable segments, a driving shaft for rotating said drum, means for expanding said drum by imparting an outward movement to said segments, said expanding means having an actuating member extending through said driving shaft and movable in'the direction of the axis of said shaft, power means'for applying a longitudinal actuating force to said expanding means, whereby said segments are moved radially With respect to the axis of said shaft, said shaft extending between said segments and said power means, a radially projecting abutment on said shaft and making endwise contact with said segments for taking the actuating force applied to said expanding means, and a second radially projecting abutment provided at the end of said shaft adjacent said power means for making endwise contact withsaid power means and for taking the reactive force of said actuating force, said reactive force being applied by said power means to said second abutment.

2. A coiling or de-coiling apparatus for metal strip comprising an expandable drum for receiving the strip and consisting of a plurality of radially movable segments, a driving shaft for rotating said drum, means for expanding said drum by imparting an outward movement to said segments, said expanding means consisting of an actuating member extending through said driving shaft and movable in the direction of the aixs of said shaft, and of spreading elements operable by said actuating member and eflfective for moving said segments outwardly, power means for applying a longitudinal actuating force to said expanding means, whereby said segments are moved radially with respect to the axis of said shaft, said shaft extending between said segments and said power means, a radially projecting abutment on said shaft making endwise contact with said spreading elements for taking the actuating force applied to said expanding means, and a second radially projecting abutment on said shaft axially spaced-apart from said first abutment toward the end of said shaft adjacent said power means for taking the reactive force of said actuating force which is applied on said end of said shaft by said power means when said expanding means is moved relative to said shaft.

3. A coiling or de-coiling apparatus for metal strip comprising an expandable drum for receiving the strip and consisting of a plurality of radially movable segments, a driving shaft for rotating said drum, means for expanding said drum by imparting an outward movement to said segments, said expanding means having an actuating member extending through said driving shaft and movable in the direction of the axis of said shaft, power means for applying a longitudinal actuating force to said expanding means, whereby said segments are moved radially with respect to the axis of said shaft, toggle means adapted to transmit the actuating force from said power means to said actuating member in a direction parallel to the axis of said shaft, and axially spaced-apart abutments on said shaft one of said abutments making endwise contact with said segments for taking the actuating force applied to said expanding means and the other of said abutments adjacent said toggle means taking the reactive force applied by said power means when said expanding means is moved relative to said shaft.

4. A coiling or de-coiling apparatus for metal strip comprising an expandable drum for receiving the strip and consisting of a plurality of radially movable segments, a driving shaft for rotating said drum, means for expanding said drum by imparting an outward movement to said segments, said expanding means having an actuating member extending through said driving shaft and movable in the direction of the axis of said shaft, power means for applying a longitudinal actuating force to said expanding means, whereby said segments are moved radially with respect to the axis of said shaft, toggle means adapted to transmit the actuating force from said power means to said actuating member in a direction parallel to the axis of said shaft, and axially spaced-apart abutments on said shaft one of said abutments making endwise contact with said segments for taking the actuating force applied to said expanding means and the other of said abutments adjacent said toggle means taking the reactive force of said actuating force applied by said power means when said expanding means is moved relative to said shaft, said toggle means comprising two sets of toggle levers, one lever of a set being adapted to transmit the actuating force and the other lever of a set being adapted to transmit the reactive force.

5. A coiling or decoiling apparatus for metal strip comprising an expandable drum for receiving the strip and consisting of a plurality of radially movable segments, a driving shaft for rotating said drum, means for expanding said drum by imparting an outward movement to said segments, said expanding means having an actuating member extending through said driving shaft and movable in the direction of the axis of said shaft, hydraulic power means for applying an actuating force to said expanding means whereby said segments are moved radially, said power means comprising a cylinder and a piston movable relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis of said shaft, toggle means adapted to transmit the actuating force from said power means to said actuating member in a direction parallel to the axis of said shaft and axially spaced apart abutments on said shaft for respectively taking the actuating force and the reactive force which is applied by said power means and transmitted through said toggle means to move said expanding means relative to said shaft, said toggle means comprising two sets of toggle levers, said sets being arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane passing through the axis of said shaft, the mid-point of the toggle levers of one set being connected to the cylinder of said hydraulic power means, and the mid-point of the toggle levers of the other set being connected to the piston of said hydraulic power means.

6. A coiling or de-coiling apparatus for metal strip comprising an expandable drum for receiving the strip and consisting of a plurality of radially movable segments, a driving shaft for rotating said drum, means for expanding said drum by imparting an outward movement to said segments, said expanding means having an actuating member extending through said. driving shaft and movable in the direction of the axis of said shaft, power means arranged for applying a longitudinal actuating force to said expanding means, whereby said segments are moved radially with respect to the axis of said shaft, toggle means adapted to transmit the actuating force from said power means to said actuating member in a direction parallel to the axis of said shaft, an axially movable thrust block on said shaft to which the outer ends of one of the toggle levers of each set are pivoted, an axially immovable thrust block on said shaft to which the outer ends of the other toggle levers of each set is pivoted, a thrust bearing interposed between said first thrust block and said actuating member, a second thrust bearing between said second thrust block and said shaft, and axially spaced-apart abutments on said shaft for taking the actuating force and the reactive force respectively of said actuating force.

7. A coiling or de-coiling apparatus for metal strip comprising a frame, an expandable drum for receiving the strip and consisting of a plurality of radially movable segments, a driving shaft for rotating said drum, means for expanding said drum by imparting an outward movement to said segments, power means for applying a longitudinal actuating force to said expanding means, toggle means adapted to transmit the actuating force from said power means to said expanding means in a direction parallel to the axis of said shaft, said power means and said toggle means being mounted on said shaft so as to be rotatable relative thereto, and stop means preventing rotation of said power means and said toggle means relative to the frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

